BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of October 2, 2007

 

A special meeting was held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 1, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, for the purpose of holding budget workshops.

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Sheriff, Jail, Jail Work Crew, Inmate Welfare, Boating Safety, Drug Fund, Investigation Fund, E911, Emergency Management, and Animal Control.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Monday, October 1, 2007 and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: District Court and Probation.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:40 p.m. Monday, October 1, 2007 and reconvened at 2:20 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Senior Services, Senior Services, Inc., Auditor, Auditor O&M, Elections, and Veteran’s Relief.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:20 p.m. Monday, October 1, 2007 and reconvened at 3:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Assessor and Noxious Weed Control.

 

The meeting concluded at 4:05 p.m. Monday, October 1, 2007.

 

The Board met at 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, for an update from the Prosecutor regarding a breach of contracts with Summerland Enterprises.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign a stop work letter to Summerland Enterprises.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Tom Drach of Underwood advised of his interest in local economic development and his interest in long-term county policies and vision with regards to projects such as the Saddleback Mountain wind energy project.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of September 25, 2007.

2.       Notice of Completion of Public Works contract with Kodiak Benge Construction for Hot Springs Avenue Grind and Overlay Project.

3.       Acknowledge receipt of letter advising of name change of local TV cable provider from Millennium Digital Media to Broadstripe.

4.       Acknowledge submission of grant application to WA State Dept of Agriculture for funding for an outdoor performance theater stage on Skamania County fairgrounds for use by Skamania County Fair & Timber Carnival and other users.

5.       Contract with Zakula Beal Auctioneers to sell ER&R surplus vehicles and equipment at public auction.

6.       Agreement with Greater Columbia Behavioral Health for Mental Health Block Grant funds for non-Medicaid covered medications and psychiatric services for stabilization of non-Medicaid consumers.

7.       Agreement between Skamania County Counseling Center and Skamania County Juvenile Department to provide intensive outpatient treatment for youth placed under Chemical Dependency Disposition Alternative.

8.       Contract with James Dean Construction for Salmon Falls Park and Ride and Canyon Creek Road Realignment Project.

9.       Change order #1 to contract with Petersen Brothers for Countywide Safety Improvements increasing the amount by $7,656.35 to allow for the estimated number of eight, nine, and eleven foot posts required for guardrail installation.

 

Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on the Rock Creek Slide, Conveyance Project, and Timber Removal Project, private road ordinance, dewatering wells, Underwood Fire, Engineering projects, County Road projects, ER&R, Solid Waste, and Building Department.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve contract amendment #1 with Skamania County Mosquito Control District to extend the term to October 31, 2007 for implementation of the mosquito control plan for the Home Valley area.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a proclamation declaring the month of October 2007 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2007 and reconvened at 10:30 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on scheduling the Swift Moratorium repeal, an upcoming Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting, status of the private road ordinance, Assistant Planner positions, office space, permit meetings, and attendance at the American Planning Association Joint Washington/Oregon Planner’s Conference.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:35 a.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2007 and reconvened at 10:45 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative Extension Agent gave updates on administration, WSU Horizons Project, 4-H program, forestry, gardening and pest management, Title III programs, and the GIS Committee.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:00 a.m. until 11:05 a.m., with no action taken.

 

Linda Schneider, Director of Washington Gorge Action Programs (WGAP), gave an update on programs and services provided by WGAP and advised that the Stevenson Branch Office located at 25 Second Street is open three days per week.

The Board participated in a 2008 Preliminary Budget workshop for the following, with no action taken: General Services - Food Bank.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2007 and reconvened at 1:20 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 1:20 p.m. until 2:20 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2007 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: County Road, Building and Well, Solid Waste, and Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 3:35 p.m. until 3:45 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board advised they would be joining representatives from Washington State Association of Counties for dinner at 5:45 p.m. this evening at Skamania Lodge.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2007 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Rock Creek, proposed private road ordinance, project reviews, county Engineer applications, dewatering wells, and Underwood slopes and guardrail damage, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss an upcoming Senator Murray Community Meeting, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Auditor to discuss payroll, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2007 and reconvened at 11:35 a.m. the same date, with Commissioner Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss the Search and Rescue building, Courthouse remodel, Rock Creek Community Services building, and personnel, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2007 and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Darlene Dickson, Senior Services Director addressed the Board with several personnel issues:

§         She advised of the need for $2,100 in additional funds for on-call help for approximately six weeks due to staffing shortages.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to authorize $2,100 for on-call help.

§         She inquired as to the status of accrued annual leave and sick leave balances for an employee who was working at 80% and would now be working at 50%, and is no longer eligible to accrue annual or sick leave.  The Board advised that the annual and sick leave balances would remain on the books until used by the employee, so long as the employee is still employed by Skamania County.

§         She advised of an employee who works 60% time, approximately three days per week, whose annual leave balance would exceed the maximum balance allowed in the month of November.  The Board advised that the annual leave buy-back policy needed to be amended to allow for pro-rated annual leave buy-back for part-time employees.

§         She advised of an employee who submitted a claim for expenses for June, July and August who was eligible for “wind chill” mileage between the place of employment and clients homes.  The Board advised the mileage should be paid.

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Board of Equalization, Boundary Review Board, and General Services Contracts (Economic Development Council, Chamber of Commerce, Domestic Violence, Interpretive Center).

 

The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Commissioners, Title III, Cumulative Reserve (Contingent Liability, Salaries, Wages, Benefits, Loans); Hotel/Motel Tax, Nuisance Control, Operating Transfers, General Services, and Civil Service.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 3:05 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2007 and reconvened at 4:25 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 4:25 p.m. until 5:05 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2007 and reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, October 4, 2007, with Commissioner Tolfree present and Commissioner Pearce present via phone.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending October 4, 2007 in the total amount of $147,162.58.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Thursday, October 4, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON